VCE Physics wave features

1. Representing Wave Features
If a series of waves were moving in water from left
to right, the displacement of the medium (water)
can be tracked using a cork. The cork could be
seen to be going up and down.

2. Displacement-distance Graphs
An easy way to show the information in the
previous diagram is by using a graph of
particle displacement versus distance from
the source.

3. The Speed of Waves
Calculate:
1. The average speed of the
wave.
2. The horizontal speed of
particle P
3. The average vertical speed
of particle P between
t = 0 secs and t = 0.025 secs

4. Solutions
Find the error!!!

5. Frequency of a Wave
All mechanical waves must have a vibrating
source.
The frequency, f, of a source is the number of
vibrations (cycles) that are produced each
second. i.e. cycles per second.
1 cycle per second = 1 Hertz

6. Examples of Frequency
• What is the frequency of the second hand
of a clock?
Frequency = 1cycle/60 sec Period = 60 sec
What is the frequency of US Presidential
elections?
Frequency = 1 election/4 yrs Period = 4 yrs

7. Period of a Wave
The time interval for one cycle to be completed is called the Period, T,
and is measured in seconds.
The Period of a wave is best seen in a Displacement-Time Graph.
Frequency, f, and Period, T, show an inverse relationship and are
connected by the formula:
Where f is the frequency of the
wave in hertz (Hz)
T is the period of the
wave in seconds (s).

8. Wavelength
The Wavelength, λ, of a continuous wave is the distance
between two successive points of the same displacement and
moving in the same direction.

9. Amplitude
The amplitude, A, of a wave is the maximum displacement of a
particle from its mean (average) position.

10. THE WAVE EQUATION

11. The Wave Equation
TEXT: Page 239, Nos 6, 7, 9, 10.